Morbidity and mortality in 1,174 patients undergoing hepatic parenchymal transection using a stapler device

Transection of liver parenchyma using staplers is now commonly performed. Large studies are needed to assess the usefulness of the technique as well as perioperative outcomes.

This is a retrospective study of a prospectively maintained database. A total of 1,174 patients undergoing liver resections in routine surgical practice, using a stapler device at MD Anderson Cancer Center between January 1, 1994 and November 10, 2011 were evaluated.

There were 900 major resections (3 segments or more) (77 %) and 274 minor resections (<3 segments or wedge resections) (23 %). A vast majority, 1,133 (96.5 %), were indicated for an underlying malignancy (24 % primary liver or gall bladder and 72.5 % metastatic) compared with benign disease, 41 (3.5 %), with the most common indication being metastatic colorectal cancer 584 (49.7 %). Of the total 1,174 patients 128 (10.9 %) had a prior liver resection. Median OR time and blood loss was 206 min and 300 mL, respectively, with 11 % of patients requiring transfusion in the perioperative or postoperative period. Overall morbidity and mortality rate was 14 and 3.2 %, respectively, with a median hospital stay of 7 days (interquartile range [IQR], 4 days). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated blood loss and extent of liver resection to be independent predictors of adverse outcome. A total of 13 instances (1.1 %) of misfired staplers were noted and were associated with higher blood loss (p < 0.001) and mortality (15 vs. 3.1 %, p = 0.013).

Use of stapler device for hepatic resection is safe and effective, but rare instances of a misfired stapler device are associated with an adverse outcome.